exhaust system for nova

[vauxboi]

Hi there just wondering wether it is possible to have a straight through exhaust system on a 1.2i nova, basically i want it with no cat because at the moment i can only find a cat back exhaust system from a company called sportex. ive heard people using sri manifolds then a sri de-cat pipe then centre section and back box. cheers;)

[novaguy08]

yeah you can de-cat it, im about to do the same to mine, dont worry about doing all that, just get yourself another cat & centre section of the exhaust (making sure that you grab yourself a dead cat as your taking an angle grinder to it!) remove the cat box and weld a bit of pipe from the centre section into where the cat box was = 1 de-cat pipe!!

[vauxboi]

so what your sayin is keep the manifold and down pipe as it is, cut the cat out weld in a pipe onto the down pipe and centre section. Im 17 sorry if i seem like i want more power but i would like the WHOLE exhaust system upgraded;) thats what im after because ive got my eyes on a sportex sri manifold, sportex sri de-cat pipe and sportex centre section and back box. like i said 17;)

[Pistol Pete]

More power out of a 1.2?? lol hmmm spoke to your insurance company? Yeah just get a manifold, de cat pipe and a system.

[Leeboo]

or alternatively get a downpipe and middle section from a 1.2 carb Nova and bolt it to your manifold as they has no cat as standard.

If you want cheap and cheerful, then do that ^ and cut out your middle silencer and leave the back box.

Gives a nice exhaust note and not too loud.

[AlexW]

As above, id go for the 1.2 carb downpipe and middle section, but what year is your nova? A k-reg nova might have some probs come MOT time, altho most are fine.

[novaguy08]

a late J or K plate nove WILL have problems unless your REALLY chummy with the MOT tester, jan 1st 92 onwards cars need cats, and there is one problem with using the carb parts, iirc the lambda sensor is in the down pipe, dude, tbh your not going to get much more power out of a 1.2 with an exhaust system, maybe 1 or 2 horses, i wouldnt bother with it much i would just cut the cat and centre box out......... 1 cheaper and 2 would pretty much end up with the same result as a sportex system, just a WHOLE lot cheaper! find yourself a 4 branch manifold, they usually incorpirate the manifold & downpipe

[Leeboo]

I've a 4 branch, straight pipe and std back box on my 1200 carb, but 4 branches go for 50 quid usually!

And he would have to weld a flange onto his current centre section to bolt to the 4 branch anyway. So may as well use the std carb downpipe etc and weld in a nut for the lambda if needs be.

[novaguy08]

well no i seen that pete has got a 4 branch for sale (expancive but you will see what im on about!) and thats got a flange on the back of it

[vauxboi]

so advise me exactly what i should do and how i would go about doing it. ohh by the way my lambda sensor is on the manifold not the downpipe

[AlexW]

What i was just about to say, never seen a lamba in a downpipe unless its aftermarket.

Cutting it and putting in a bit of pipe is ok if your a good welder, otherwise your have no end of problems, welding exhausts is known to be a pain.

[novaguy08]

ok then well you got 3 options really

Easiest but most expencive: buy all the sportex stuff
Most difficult but cheapest: cut apart your current exhaust and remove cat and centre box
2nd easiest & 2nd cheapest: buy an early exhaust and cut & shut the centre box

[novaguy08]

whilst were on the subject i think that im going to get myself an early exhaust cut n shut that on mine

[jimbob-mcgrew]

hows about replacing the whole lot with a second hand 1.4 carb system ?

[Leeboo]

That would be best as you would have twin downpipes then!!

[mk2maniac]

you should do as i have and get a nova sr manifold and downpipe and then just a scaffy pole to the back a little loud though.
my next move is a four branch manifold for and sri and then bolt that to the sr centre section with a gsi back box. would sound great and give a power increase.
just a suggestion
pm me any questions
mines a 1.2i aswell

[mk2maniac]

That would be best as you would have twin downpipes then!!

he will need the lambda sensor though with it being a 1.2i as it flags the eml up. and the 1.4 carb system hasn't got a hole for it. could drill a hole and weld i nut in though

[novaguy08]

i found this out at the weekend, removing the lambda on the 1.2i dont flash up an eml!

[AlexW]

It does, but only once warm.

[vauxboi]

i thought i would add this in i sent an email to tuning.co.uk who deal with sportex exhausts and i asked them could i put a sri manifold on a 1.2i and then use the sri de-cat pipe this is the response i got 'Hi,

The only way to fit a manifold to the 1.2i models is the use the manifold and also the GSi decat pipe together. This would then connect to your standard/aftermarket centre section at the flange. The lambda sensor position is at the top of the manifold. so this is exactly what i want it bolts on and the lambda sensor is where i want it not on the downpipe.